IWM North

The multi-award winning IWM North is a great day out for all ages. Designed by world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind to represent a globe shattered by conflict, it reveals how war shapes lives through personal stories and powerful exhibitions; the Big Picture (a 360 degree light and sound show), tours, object handling sessions, and family activities. The 100ft AirShard viewing platform offers spectacular views over The Quays. Take a break during your visit to enjoy locally sourced produce in the WaterShard cafe and Kitchen.

Venue Type:

Museum

Opening hours

Open every day, 10.00 - 17.00

Closed December 24-26

Admission charges

Admission free

Getting there

By tram - The nearest Metrolink stations to IWM North are MediaCityUK or Harbour City. Trams run direct from Manchester Piccadilly, Deansgate-Castlefield and St Peter's Square. If you're coming from Oxford Road railway station, you will need to travel on foot to St Peter's Square. Take the Eccles service and alight at MediaCityUK or Harbour City. IWM North is a short walk across the canal by footbridge.

By bus - X50 Manchester Piccadilly to Trafford Centre. This service stops at IWM North. This service runs approximately every 15 minutes.

By car/ coach - Leave the M60 at Junction 9 and join Parkway (A5081) towards Trafford Park. At the first island take the third exit onto Village Way; at the next island take the second exit onto Warren Bruce Road. Turn right at the T-junction onto Trafford Wharf Road. Alternatively, leave the M602 at Junction 3 and follow the signs. Secure parking, including designated parking spaces for people with disabilities, is available for 160 cars. Please note charges apply.

Additional info

LockersLocker facilities are available free of charge.

Eating and DrinkingIn addition to the WaterShard Café and Kitchen, the Green Room on the ground floor is available for packed lunches.

ToiletsToilets are situated on the Ground Floor next to the Shop and include accessible toilets.

For younger visitors we have an exciting range of games, toys and souvenirs as well as a selection of children's books. There are also educational resource materials and children's activity books on sale.

The Museum charts world events from 1900 to the present day, examining war and its effect on people and places; from photographs to film, artefacts, weapons and souvenirs the entire experience of war is explored.

Collection details

Aviation, Maritime, Social History, Weapons and War

Exhibition details are listed below, you may need to scroll down to see them all.

Exhibition (temporary)

Fashion on the Ration: 1940s Street Style

27 May 2016 — 1 May 2017 *on now

From 'onesies' to wear in the air raid shelter to jewellery created from aeroplane parts, Fashion on the Ration looks at how fashion survived and even flourished under the strict rules of rationing in 1940s Britain, often in new and unexpected ways.

This exhibition explores how men and women found new ways to dress as clothes rationing took hold. Displays of original clothes from the era, including military uniforms and functional fashion, reveal what life was really like on the home front in wartime Britain.

The Big Picture Show

The award-winning Big Picture Show is a 360° audio-visual experience and a unique way for visitors to access the Museum’s world-renowned collections of photography, art and sound. Themed shows run throughout the day.

Resources

TimeStack Handling Sessions

We open up our collections in these themed 20-minute object-handling sessions. Join staff for an opportunity to handle items from the TimeStack and discover the stories behind the artefacts. Daily at 12.30pm.

Getting there

By tram - The nearest Metrolink stations to IWM North are MediaCityUK or Harbour City. Trams run direct from Manchester Piccadilly, Deansgate-Castlefield and St Peter's Square. If you're coming from Oxford Road railway station, you will need to travel on foot to St Peter's Square. Take the Eccles service and alight at MediaCityUK or Harbour City. IWM North is a short walk across the canal by footbridge.

By bus - X50 Manchester Piccadilly to Trafford Centre. This service stops at IWM North. This service runs approximately every 15 minutes.

By car/ coach - Leave the M60 at Junction 9 and join Parkway (A5081) towards Trafford Park. At the first island take the third exit onto Village Way; at the next island take the second exit onto Warren Bruce Road. Turn right at the T-junction onto Trafford Wharf Road. Alternatively, leave the M602 at Junction 3 and follow the signs. Secure parking, including designated parking spaces for people with disabilities, is available for 160 cars. Please note charges apply.

Website

E-mail

General Enquiries

Telephone

General Enquiries

0161 836 4000

Fax

General Enquiries

0161 836 4090

All information is drawn from or provided by the venues themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.

Helen Marshall's giant mosaic of World War I hero Private James Beaney, created with the faces of 20,000 people who attended BBC events, will appear at IWM North for the remembrance weekend and Armistice.